Departmental Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023

Tuesday, 24 October 2023

Questions (422)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

422. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he proposes to make up the shortfall in the PhD stipend, to ensure that PhD researchers such as a researcher (details supplied) who have been excluded from the planned increase in stipends for PhD students, are treated in an equitable manner with other Government-funded PhD students by being given an increase in the stipend to €22,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46159/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Following on from the decision by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide funding to SFI and IRC that will enable them to increase their PhD stipends from €19,000 to €22,000 from January 2024, my Department is currently considering revisions to the stipend for Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine funded postgraduate students. The stipend for postgraduate students on DAFM funded research projects has been €19,000 since 2022. I and the Minister of State with responsibility for research and development in my Department hope to be in a position to make an announcement on this matter shortly.